Carolina Beach plunges into quest for pool

Published: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 10:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 10:24 p.m.

It's not time to break out the swim goggles just yet, but Carolina Beach is one step closer to getting a public pool.

The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the pool, subject to council's review of its impact on the annual budget as presented by Interim Town Manager Bruce Shell within the next few weeks. The motion, made by Councilman Steve Shuttleworth, also included instruction to finish drawings, obtain final bids and look into the process of getting a loan through the Local Government Commission.

The pool project can't go through without approval of total costs, so the vote does not mean it's definitely going to happen, Mayor Bob Lewis said.

"We're not voting on a pool," he said. "We're voting on moving to the next step based on what happens with the budget."

Duke Hagestrom of the Carolina Beach Aquatics Committee presented a video with cost and revenue figures as well as interviews with several residents speaking in support of the pool. Afterward, the council opened the meeting for public comment and several others spoke, including one person against the project because of concerns about the debt taxpayers would incur.

According to the presentation, construction figures range from a best-case scenario of $895,000 to the worst case of $1.15 million with annual operating cost estimates of $314,658 to $289,798. Annual income estimates are $366,200 to $232,000. This leaves anywhere from annual net income of $51,542 to an annual loss of $82,658.

Since September, the town has explored the possibility of having a community pool to be located behind Town Hall at 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. The original proposal called for an aquatics center that offers eight 25-meter lanes as well as a zero-entry shallow area and a diving well. A bubble, or dome, for colder months would offer year-round use.

Also on Tuesday, Lewis gave the first "State of the Town" public address prior to the meeting. He praised the town's quality of life and financial picture, but also identified challenges, including inlet dredging funding.

<p>It's not time to break out the swim goggles just yet, but Carolina Beach is one step closer to getting a public pool.</p><p>The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the pool, subject to council's review of its impact on the annual budget as presented by Interim Town Manager Bruce Shell within the next few weeks. The motion, made by Councilman Steve Shuttleworth, also included instruction to finish drawings, obtain final bids and look into the process of getting a loan through the Local Government Commission.</p><p>The pool project can't go through without approval of total costs, so the vote does not mean it's definitely going to happen, Mayor Bob Lewis said. </p><p>"We're not voting on a pool," he said. "We're voting on moving to the next step based on what happens with the budget."</p><p>Duke Hagestrom of the Carolina Beach Aquatics Committee presented a video with cost and revenue figures as well as interviews with several residents speaking in support of the pool. Afterward, the council opened the meeting for public comment and several others spoke, including one person against the project because of concerns about the debt taxpayers would incur.</p><p>According to the presentation, construction figures range from a best-case scenario of $895,000 to the worst case of $1.15 million with annual operating cost estimates of $314,658 to $289,798. Annual income estimates are $366,200 to $232,000. This leaves anywhere from annual net income of $51,542 to an annual loss of $82,658.</p><p>Since September, the town has explored the possibility of having a community pool to be located behind Town Hall at 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. The original proposal called for an aquatics center that offers eight 25-meter lanes as well as a zero-entry shallow area and a diving well. A bubble, or dome, for colder months would offer year-round use.</p><p>Also on Tuesday, Lewis gave the first "State of the Town" public address prior to the meeting. He praised the town's quality of life and financial picture, but also identified challenges, including inlet dredging funding.</p><p>Metro Desk: 343-2389</p>